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Details

Fordwich Town Hall was built in 1544 during the reign of King Henry VIII. It is decked with lovely herringbone brickwork on the outside whilst the interior retains all the original timbers. The upstairs was used as a Courtroom for many centuries and the accused had to state their case at “The Pleading Bar”. In the ground floor jail three men were last imprisoned in 1855 for poaching the famous Fordwich trout! At the rear end stands the Crane House with its crane ready to be swung out to unload boats bringing all sorts of provisions for the monastic city of Canterbury, including the stone that came from Caen in Normandy to re-build Canterbury Cathedral in the 11th century. In the ground floor Undercroft, a ten minute DVD film about Fordwich and the Town Hall can be viewed by all visitors including those unable to go to the upstairs Courtroom.

Fordwich is classified as the “Smallest Town in Britain”. Fordwich Town Hall is used by Fordwich Town Council for all their meetings and is believed to be the oldest and smallest in the country still in use. Fordwich Town Hall is now licensed to hold small weddings and civil ceremonies for up to 35 guests.

Fordwich Town Hall is open to the public during the summer (see opening details) and during “Heritage Open Days” in September when entrance is free. Group visits are welcome and can be arranged any time throughout the year.

Opening details

Fordwich Town Hall is open to the public on the following days:- Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday- May and August Bank Holidays- Every Sunday during the summer starting with the first Sunday in May and ending with the last Sunday in September.- Additionally every Wednesday during August.

Opening times are 1.30pm to 4pm

Prices

Adults £2.00Children under 14 Free

Location

Directions

The historic Town of Fordwich lies on the Great Stour river, about two miles east of Canterbury, just south of the A28 road to Thanet, close to Sturry. Bus and train links to Fordwich and Canterbury are good.